Softball Begins Spring Practice Friday

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma softball team officially begins preparations for a run at a fifth consecutive Women's College World Series appearance on Friday morning when spring practices get underway. The Sooners will hit the field twice on Friday and Saturday before settling into a regular afternoon practice schedule (2 p.m.) at the start of the second semester (Monday, Jan. 12).

“I know the team has been anticipating their return from winter break and the start of the spring season,” said OU Head Coach Patty Gasso. “We start playing in about three weeks and everything looks to be in order. The team is chomping at the bit to get on the field.”

OU, which has reached four consecutive Women's College World Series, will be led by two seniors and a trio of juniors. Nicki Holt and Katie Overton are the lone seniors on the 2004 squad and will take on the leadership responsibilities for Coach Gasso.

Juniors Christina Enea, Kami Keiter and Heather Scaglione will also carry some of the leadership load during the upcoming season. All three third-year players have garnered all-conference honors during their careers, with Keiter (2003) and Enea (2002) also being named All-Americans.

Coach Gasso will rely heavily on a freshman class of six, of which many are expected to start and contribute immediately. Freshmen Norrelle Dickson and Stacia Aleman are battling for the starting nod at short stop and second base, respectively. Fellow frosh Jamie Fox is dueling with sophomore Mariee Mena for starting rights at third base.

OU will have more than three weeks to prepare for the season-opening LSU Tiger Classic, which begins Feb. 6. OU will begin the home season against Oklahoma Christian on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

“The first couple days of practice we'll focus on getting everyone back into the swing of things,” said Gasso. “The holidays were a good breather for everyone involved with the program. It shouldn't take more than a couple days to get caught up. We're anxiously awaiting everyone's return and we're ready to get back to work.”

OU returns 10 letterwinners from a 2003 squad that went 47-14 and won an NCAA Regional for the fourth consecutive year.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Begins Spring Practice Friday

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